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Bradley installed as university's 11th president

November 13 2008

The future Indiana State University President Daniel J. Bradley sees for the university is of an institution that is both bigger and better.

In remarks in conjunction with his formal installation as the 11th president in Indiana State's 143-year history, Bradley made it clear input from across the campus and the greater Terre Haute community will be vital in guiding the university's future in an ever-changing world.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change," Bradley said, quoting Charles Darwin.

Recounting how Indiana State has experienced change in the past, both in its mission and in the delivery of courses to reflect Indiana's changing needs and evolving technologies, Bradley said the university will prepare for the next round of change during a strategic planning meeting on Dec. 2.

"I hope to have as many members of the university community involved in this effort as possible and also hope that some of our friends in the community and our alumni will play active roles," he said.

Bradley emphasized that the process will not start from scratch, but will build on previous planning efforts and continue to embrace Indiana State's hallmarks of experiential learning, community engagement and distinctive programs.

"Secondly, the goals that we develop are not my goals, they are our goals," he said. "The plan we develop will be the university's strategic plan. While I certainly will have a leadership role, everyone who participates in the process will have a hand in developing the goals, and all of us will have a part in achieving measurable progress. Our goals, of necessity, will be stretch goals, and we will need to work aggressively toward meeting them. There is a role for everyone in the development of our strategic plan."

Quality education for undergraduate and graduate students must remain Indiana State's top priority and part of the planning effort will focus on ways to further develop the university's most distinctive existing programs, Bradley said.

The university also must determine how it can provide hands-on opportunities to all students, no matter what subjects they are studying and must develop and support ongoing opportunities that truly distinguish an Indiana State education, he said.

"Most importantly, we must continue to embrace our local community. We are Terre Haute and Terre Haute is us. We are not going anywhere," Bradley said. "We must engage our best thinking and best abilities in helping all aspects of our community and in finding ways to better connect our community and our campus. The success of Terre Haute and the success of Indiana State University are inextricably linked."

But community engagement efforts will continue to extend beyond Vigo County to include the state, the nation, and the world, Bradley said, noting the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognizes Indiana State as an engaged campus.

"How can we build upon these efforts so that everyone thinks of Indiana State and community engagement as one' How can we institutionalize community engagement across the entire campus and make it a component of all that we do'" he said.

In five years, Bradley said, he would like to see Indiana State "back to record enrollment or within shooting distance of it." That would mean an approximate 20 percent increase to an enrollment of 12,500, something the new president acknowledged will not be easy given current demographics and intense competition for students.

The ISU Foundation is in the planning stages of the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign and everyone must contribute for that campaign to be successful, Bradley said.

"Increasing the quantity and quality of what we do will require funding, and we must look at ways to expand our external revenue streams. We must increase the proportion of the budget that comes from private gifts, and grants and contracts," he said.

Bradley repeated calls he has made since taking office July 31 for upgrading campus buildings, including residence halls and athletic facilities. He also said his administration will develop ways to attract and retain good employees.
"How can we make Indiana State University one of the best places at which to work' How can we ensure that we attract and retain a diverse work force'" he asked.

"The heritage upon which Indiana State University has been built, coupled with the creativity, brilliance and dedicated efforts displayed regularly by our students, faculty and staff put us in a position to accomplish great things," Bradley said. "It is now our job to define those goals and take steps to achieve them. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, ?We have come to a fork in the road and we will take it.'"

Bradley's installation was part of a week of activities celebrating Indiana State's commitment to community engagement. A concert by the university's Ebony Majestic Choir followed the installation ceremony.

Earlier in the week, an installation banquet raised $10,000 for United Way of the Wabash Valley, a "Jam the Bus" canned food drive collected more than 2,000 pounds of food and an "Up Til Dawn" letter-writing campaign saw students, faculty and staff pen hundreds of letters seeking donations for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

The week also included an inspirational presentation by John Bul Dau, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan who fled that country's civil war at 13. Dau is now raising a family in the U.S. and heading a foundation that supports health care in Sudan.

A campaign to raise personal and household items and cash for the Council on Domestic Abuse continues through Monday when the ISU campus will host a "Take Back the Night" march against domestic violence.

Photos:Installation
Daniel J. Bradley is formally installed as Indiana State University's 11th president by Donald Buttrey (right), trustee emeritus,
and Mike Alley (left), president of the Board of Trustees.Jammed busBoxes of canned food fill an ISU bus during a "Jam the Bus" food drive Nov. 12, part of a week of community engagement activities surrounding the installation of Daniel J. Bradley as the university's 11th president.

Story Highlights

The future Indiana State University President Daniel J. Bradley sees for the university is of an institution that is both bigger and better. In remarks in conjunction with his formal installation as the 11th president in Indiana State's 143-year history, Bradley made it clear input from across the campus and the greater Terre Haute community will be vital in guiding the university's future in an ever-changing world.